GMLR twin tunnels work to take off in October

Officials finalise contractors to build underground portion of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road at SGNP

The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) will most likely be ready by 2028, if the BMC’s work schedule and deadline to build the twin tunnels stay on track. The civic body has finalised the contractors, who will start working on the tunnels in October this year, officials said on Friday.

According to the BMC’s projections, the 4.7-km twin tunnels should be complete in five years since the work starts, i.e. 2028. The work order will be issued soon, the officials said.

It is joint venture between J Kumar and NCC for the R6,301-crore project, they added.

Civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal confirmed the development.

Progress so far

The GMLR connects the Western Express Highway (WEH) at Dindoshi to Nahur, a suburb located between Bhandup and Mulund. The tunnels start at gate No. 2 of Film City, Goregaon. Currently a bridge, a part of the GMLR, is under construction to connect WEH to the tunnels’ start point. This work is expected to be complete by 2025.

The tunnels, which are being built under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, will end at Khindipada Junction at Amar Nagar in Mulund. 

The GMLR portion between the tunnels’ end point and Nahur is currently in use.

Officials said that with the completion of the GMLR, the Western Suburbs will get its first direct connectivity to Navi Mumbai. A bridge at Nahur connects the GMLR with the Eastern Express Highway towards Airoli in Navi Mumbai.

Cross passages

“The work on the tunnels will start from October 2023. The tunnels are completely eco-friendly, as there won’t be any disturbance to the wildlife, water bodies or trees at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner P Velrasu. “In the tunnels, there will be ventilation systems, high-tech fire prevention systems, water supply and storm water drains,” he added.

“The distance between the tunnels will be 15 metres. The tunnels will be connected through cross passages every 300 meters, for emergencies. There will also be a footpath,” said an official.

5 yrs
Time period it will take to build the tunnels

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